UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA 


AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION, 


BERKELEY,    CAL. 


E.   W.  HILGARD,  Director. 


BULLETIN   NO.    103 


DISTRIBUTION    OF    SE1E9S    AND    PbAJNTS. 


Interest  in  the  distribution  feature  of  our 
field  and  garden  work  constantly  increases,  and 
evidence  of  the  value  of  some  of  the  growths 
thus  disseminated  is  abundant.  la  issuing  an- 
other announcement,  however,  we  desire  to 
remind  all  correspondents  that  they  assume  an 
obligation  to  report  to  us  the  results  of  their 
experience  with  the  plants  received,  and  that 
the  records  of  their  observation  are  often  of 
great  value  to  us.  As  we  have  now  a  report  in 
preparation,  we  are  especially  desirous  to  hear 
of  the  behavior  of  all  growths  which  we  have 
hitherto  distributed.  We  trust  all  correspond- 
ents will  remember  this  as  they  make  their 
choice  from  the  things  offered  in  this  Bulletin. 

This  distribution  from  the  station  is  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  wide  trial  of  growths  new 
to  the  State,  and  does  not  include  common 
trees,  plants  and  seeds,  which  can  be  had  from 
dealers.  For  this  reason,  we  do  not  invite  ap- 
plications for  general  supplies  of  garden  seeds 
or  fruit  trees.     We  cannot  furnish  them. 

We  cannot  undertake  distribution  to  citizens 
of  other  States,  except  where  desirable  ex- 
changes are  offered. 

Terms. — Our  experience  has  demonstrated 
that  requiring  a  small  contribution  insures  the 
applicant's  interest  and  relieves  us  from  the 
profitless  work  of  supplying  the  throng  of  peo- 
ple who  always  carelessly  send  for  what  costs 
them  nothing,  and  who,  as  a  rule,  give  no  at- 
tention to  the  trial  of  the  material  sent  them, 
and  therefore  do  not  report  results.  For  this 
reason,  applicants  are  requested  to  send  the 
amount  specified  in  connection  with  each  de- 
scription below  to  meet  the  expenses  of  pack- 
ing and  postage.  If  they  desire  seeds  sent  by 
express,  applicants  need  not  send  the  amounts 
specified  for  postage,  but  all  orders  for  seeds  by 
express  must  be  accompanied  by  a  remittance  of 
25  cents  to  pay  for  packing.  Express  charges  are 
paid  by  the  recipient.  Applications  may  be 
made  for  one  or  more  kinds  of  seeds,  but  an  ap- 


plicant should  not  order  more  than  one  package  of 
a  kind.  In  case  any  kind  of  seed  become  ex- 
hausted, the  money  sent  will  be  returned,  un- 
less a  second  choice  is  mentioned  by  the  sender. 
Postal  notes  are  requested  instead  of  stamps 
whenever  practicable.  Any  surplus  left  after 
filling  orders  will,  as  far  as  possible,  be  returned 
to  the  senders,  deducting  letter  postage. 

CEREALS. 

Although  the  interest  in  experiments  with 
new  varieties  of  cereals  has  been  greatly  re- 
duced by  the  low  market  values  of  these  grains, 
we  still  find  some  growers  awake  to  the  chance 
of  improvement  through  the  growth  of  superior 
varieties.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the 
notable  collections  of  cereals  in  variety  which 
were  displayed  by  some  counties  in  the  Califor- 
nia Building  at  the  World's  Fair  were  grown 
from  seed  furnished  from  this  station.  We  of- 
fer this  year  several  varieties  new  to  California. 
Carter  s  New  Cross-bred  Wheats. — We  have 
grown  for  two  years  and  determined  the  desir- 
ability for  further  local  trial  by  wheat- growers, 
a  collection  of  cross-bred  wheats  produced  by 
hybridization  by  James  Carter  &  Co.,  High 
Holborn,  London,  England.  The  chief  aims 
of  the  originators  of  these  wheats  were  to  secure 
early  maturity,  prime  milling  quality,  heavy 
bearing  and  good  straw.  We  believe  that 
wherever  these  varieties  are  adapted  to  the  cli- 
mate they  will  be  found  to  be  strikingly  fine  in 
comparison  with  varieties  now  largely  grown 
here.  We  trust  they  will  attract  the  attention 
of  wheat-growers: 

Queen— Straw  medium,  stout,  bright;  chaff  vel- 
vety; grain  excellent;  resists  rust. 
Prince  of  Wales— Early;  straw  long  and   white; 

grain  eood  milling;  heavy  bearer. 
Earliest  of  A 11— Believed  to  be  the  earliest  wheat 
in  cultivation;  straw  medium  thin  but  stiff; 
very  productive ;  amber  grain. 
Miller's  Delight— Straw  upright,  very  bright  col- 
ored; grain  white;  plant  strong  in  growth 
and  dark  green. 
Pearl— Straw  long  and  stout;  ear  close-set  and 


lightly  bearded;  grain  roundish,  amber 
white;  resists  rust. 

Holborn  Wonder— Straw  stout  and  strong;  ear 
long  and  close-set;  very  productive;  grain 
pale  brown. 

Hundredfold— Early;  straw  medium  and  not  dis- 
posed to  lodge;  ears  long  and  well  filled; 
grain  pale  brownish-red;  free  from  rust. 

Stand-up— Straw  very  short,  erect  and  not 
lodged  by  wind;  grain  firmly  set  and  not 
easily  shaken  out;  pale  amber  color;  resists 
rust. 

FlourbaU— Very  early;  straw  long,  ears  medium 
length;  grain  varied  in  color  from  deep 
amber  to  pale  red. 

Pride  of  the  Market— Early,  but  late  in  showing 
ears;  straw  long,  ears  close  set;  grain  not 
easily  shelled  out;  pale  amber  color. 

Birdproof—  Named  because  of  pointed  awn, 
which  repels  birds;  straw,  long,  stout  and 
strong;  grain  pale  amber,  plump  and  hand- 
some. 

Anglo- Canadian— Bearded,  hardj%  very  early; 
straw  strong  and  long;  grain  pale  red, 
plump  and  even. 

Hessian  Fly  Wheats. — Although  we  have  for 
several  years  offered  wheats  not  liable  to  injury 
by  Hessian  fly,  much  demand  for  them  has  not 
arisen  until  last  winter,  when  we  were  not  able 
to  fill  all  orders.  We  have  grown  another  sup- 
ply of  seed.  Although  the  wheats  are  rather 
dark  in  color  for  the  market,  the  value  of  the 
varieties  for  hay  purposes  in  regions  infested  by 
Hessian  fly  is  very  clear,  and  we  hope  they  will 
be  generally  tried  for  this  purpose.  They  are 
bearded  wheats,  but  early  cutting  will  reduce 
this  evil  somewhat.  We  offer  four  varieties: 
(1)  Russian  Red,  (2)  Volo,  (3)  Petali,  (4)  Atlanti. 

Rice. — To  assist  correspondents  having  lands 
subject  to  overflow  or  flooding,  who  have  mani- 
fested a  desire  to  experiment  with  rice,  we  have 
secured  a  supply  of  seed  of  the  best  Louisiana 
variety.  Land  for  rice  should  be  so  situated 
that  the  application  of  water  can  be  regulated. 
Prepare  the  land  as  for  grain,  sow  in  drills  and 
cover  with  two  to  three  inches  of  soil.  Admit 
the  water  until  it  stands  12  to  18  inches  deep. 
The  water  is  allowed  to  remain  for  three  to  six 
days,  for  the  seed  to  germinate.  The  water  is 
then  drawn  off  and  the  surface  allowed  to  dry 
until  the  plant  has  secured  good  rooting.  Water 
is  admitted  again  when  the  plants  have  put  out 
two  leaves,  and  is  allowed  to  stand  on  the  ground 
while  the  plant  is  making  its  growth;  the  water 
being  drawn  off  to  allow  the  rice  stalk  to  gain 
strength  and  the  ground  to  dry  for  the  conve- 
nience of  the  reapers.  There  is  some  variation 
in  the  practice  of  rice-growers  in  the  different 
rice  countries,  and  probably  local  methods  will 
arise  here  if  the  crop  seems  suited  to  local  con- 
ditions. 

Terms  for  Cereals.— Applicants  for  seeds  of  the 


cereals  named  above  may  order  a  single  pack 
age  of  any  one  or  of  all  varieties,  but  we  cannot 
furnish  more  than  a  single  package  of  one  vari- 
ety— 15c.  for  each  variety  in  1-lb.  sacks,  postage 
paid. 

y  TABLE   GRAPES   FROM   PERSIA. 

The  grapes  of  the  table  lands  of  Persia  have 
won  praise  from  all  travelers  who  have  eaten 
them.  These  vines  are  of  the  vitis  vinifera,  but 
the  fruit  has  quite  a  distinctive  character  when 
compared  with  the  varieties  chiefly  grown  in 
the  west  of  Europe.  Prof.  H.  E.  Van  Deman, 
ex-Pomologist  of  the  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture, secured  through  the  kindly  aid  of  our 
Minister  at  Teheran,  Hon.  E.  Spencer  Pratt,  an 
importation  of  the  best  Persian  varieties. 
These  vines  were  in  part  entrusted  to  this 
station  and  we  have  propagated  enough  to 
offer  a  small  supply  to  our  correspondents  this 
year.  Those  varieties  which  we  have  fruited 
ripen  very  early,  about  with  the  Sweetwater, 
and  as  they  are  much  firmer  fleshed  and 
tougher  skinned  than  that  variety  they  may 
prove  of  high  value  for  early  shipping.  The 
berries  of  the  varieties  we  have  fruited  thus  far 
are  of  large  size,  long-oval  form  and  good 
quality.  We  offer  the  following  varieties  this 
year;  the  descriptions  are  imperfect,  as  some 
have  not  yet  fruited  here: 

1—Paykaynee  Razukee:  Bright  red,  large,  long, 
few  seeds. 

2— Dizmar:  Light  yellow,  very  sweet,  long 
and  taDering. 

S—Khallillee:  Said  to  be  the  earliest  in  Persia. 

4— Askaree:  Widely  grown  in  Persia  and  used 
both  for  table  and  drying;  black,  resembling 
Cornichou  but  considerably  earlier. 

5—Rish  Bala:  Also  a  leading  variety  in  the 
Orient  for  table  and  drying  and  said  to  keep 
until  SDring. 

6—Hutab:  A  large,  sweet  grape. 

7—Shiraz:  Named  for  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant grape  regions  of  Persia,  where  it  is  a  lead- 
ing sort. 

8—Alhakahee:  Red,  said  to  be  suited  for  long 
keeping. 

9—Chavooshee:  Green,  a  rare  variety  in  Persia. 

10—  White  Shahanee:  Large,  oblong,  light 
color. 

Our  supply  is  small;  so  far  as  it  goes  we  will 
send  one  vine  of  each  kind  at  the  rate  of  five 
cents  for  each  variety  ordered,  by  mail,  post- 
paid. 

ITALIAN   WINE  GRAPES. 

We  have  now  propagated  sufficiently  for  dis- 
tribution an  important  collection  of  valuable 
Italian  grape  varieties  imported  in  1891  by  this 
station  through  the  kindness  of  Count  G.  di 
Rovasenda  of  Turin,  the  well-known  Italian 
ampelographer.  The  pecularities  that  make 
these  grapes  very  valuable  for  culture  in  Cali- 


fornia,  whose  climate  is  so  similar  to  that  of 
Italy,  is  their  remarkably  high  acidity  con- 
jointly with  a  good  proportion  of  sugar;  they 
are  likely  also  to  reach  an  unusually  high  per- 
centage of  sugar  while  still  maintaining  a  good 
proportion  of  acidity.  Besides,  they  are  quite 
astringent,  and  yield  wines  of  deep  color.  In 
general  they  produce  wines  which  are  in  large 
demand,  both  in  Italian  and  foreign  markets, 
on  account  of  their  remarkably  good  keeping 
qualities,  their  deep  color,  very  pronounced 
vinosity  and  agreeable  acidity;  by  aging,  their 
astringency  is  reduced,  and  then  they  are  very 
delicate,  and  can  be  considered  as  first-class 
dry  wines,  of  as  good  quality  as  those  of  the 
Bordeaux  type.  The  following  varieties  are 
ready  for  distribution: 


*1.  fPelarerga. 

22. 

Erbalus  di  Caluso. 

2.  Gioreto. 

23. 

Monica. 

3.  Colutam  cucco  bifcondo. 

*24. 

Nebbiolo  di  Dronero. 

4.  Malvasia  Rovasenda. 

25. 

Vernaccia  Sarda. 

5.  tAntibo. 

26. 

Neiretta. 

6.  Negro  amaro. 

27. 

Danugue. 

7.  fFavorita. 

"29. 

Trivioti. 

*8.  Tadone. 

*30. 

Negro  dolce. 

9.  Tor  ok  goher. 

31. 

Croatina. 

10.  Bermestia  violacea. 

32. 

Malvasia  de  la  Cartuja. 

*11.  Croetto  Moretto. 

33. 

Oattaratu  a  la  porta. 

*12.  Chenin  noir. 

34. 

Mammolo  Toscano. 

'13.  Zinzillosa. 

35. 

tOlivette  de  Cadeneb. 

14.  Malvasia  di  Brolio. 

*36. 

tAspiran  noir. 

(15.  tQuagliano. 

37. 

Bergan  or  Persan. 

16.  tOipro  nero. 

38. 

tCrejidero. 

17.  Cenanese  nero. 

39. 

Picpoule. 

18.  Oorbeau. 

40. 

Neiretta  de  Colucellio. 

*19.  Croetto. 

*41. 

tGrisa  di  Piemonte. 

20.  tBarborossa  di    Finalla 

r  42. 

Negrara  di  Gattinara. 

orgo. 

43. 

Paga  debito. 

*21.  Bolgnino. 

44. 

Ocra  di  Bove. 

We  will  send  the  above  rooted  vines  by  mail 
at  the  rate  of  5c  per  vine,  or  by  express  at  25c 
per  dozen;  express  charges  to  be  paid  by  re- 
ceiver. Of  the  varieties  marked  with  a  star  ( * ) 
six  vines  each  may  be  ordered  if  the  applicant 
desires;  of  varieties  not  starred,  not  more  than 
two  vines  to  each  applicant.  The  varieties 
marked  with  a  dagger  (f)  are  desirable  for 
table  use. 

SHADE  TEEES  FOB  PUBLIC  GROUNDS. 

A  part  of  the  property  placed  in  our  charge 
by  the  act  of  the  Legislature,  which  made  the 
University  the  legatee  of  the  discontinued 
Board  of  Forestry  Commissioners,  consisted  of 
a  nursery  of  seedling  forest  trees.  All  of  these 
trees  in  excess  of  what  are  needed  at  our  sta- 
tions we  desire  to  make  of  public  benefit,  and, 
to  escape  interference  with  the  business  of  nur- 
serymen, we  offer  the  trees  for  planting  on  pub- 
lic grounds  surrounding  all  State  and  county 
buildings  and  in  city  and  village  parks.  We 
hope  there  will  be  a  general  desire  to  plant  them 
on  school  grounds.  The  following  will  be  fur- 
nished for  the  purposes  named : 

Douglas  Spruce — Pseudotsuga  Douglasii. 

Western  Arbor  Vitae—  Thuya  gigantea. 

Austrian  Pine— Pinus  Austriaca. 

Drooping  Cypress — Oupressus  macrocarpa,  pen- 
dula  glauca. 

White  Pine— Pinus  strobus. 

Lawson  Cypress — Oupressus  Lawsoniana. 

Black  Wattle — Acacia  decurrens. 


Lemon  Scented  Gum— Eucalyptus  citriodora . 

Kentucky  Coffee  Tree — Qymnodadus  cana- 
densis. 

Eastern  Black  Walnut—  Juglans  nigra. 

Carolina  Poplar — Populus  monilifera. 

Hackberry — Geltis  occidentalis. 

Black  Ash — Fraxinus  sp. 

Pawlonia — Powlonia  imperialis. 

Catalpa — Catalpa,  sp. 

California  Maple — Acer  macrophyllum. 

English  Oak — Quercus  robur. 

These  trees  will  be  furnished  in  lots  of  one 
dozen  assorted  varieties  at  50c  per  lot,  for  dig- 
ging and  packing;  freight  or  express  to  be  paid 
by  recipient. 

Acorns  of  English  Oak. — This  is  exceedingly 
satisfactory  as  a  rapid-growing  hard  wood  and 
shade  tree  in  the  coast  region  of  California  at 
least,  and  deserves  wide  planting.  As  there  is 
some  difficulty  in  transplanting,  we  will  send 
acorns  to  those  who  desire  to  start  trees  in 
permanent  place.  Small  packages  of  acorns, 
5c  each  by  mail,  postpaid. 

THE    LOGAN    BEERY. 

This  fruit,  which  appears  to  be  a  cross  be- 
tween a  cultivated  red  raspberry  and  the 
Aughinbaugh  (a  variety  of  the  California  wild 
blackberry),  was  grown  by  Judge  J.  H.  Logan, 
of  Santa  Cruz,  from  seed  in  1884.  He  had  the 
berries  named  above  in  adjacent  rows,  and  took 
his  seed  from  such  association.  The  result  is  a 
berry  of  unique  and  striking  characteristics. 
The  fruit  is  sometimes  an  inch  and  one-quarter 
long,  dark  red,  with  the  shape  of  a  blackberry, 
the  color  of  a  raspberry,  and  a  combination  of 
the  flavors  of  both.  It  is  a  great  acquisition  to 
the  berries  on  the  market,  hard  and  a  good 
shipper,  and  has  been  successfully  marketed  in 
quantity  by  James  Waters  of  Watsonville.  It 
has  fruited  on  the  experiment  grounds  three 
years.  The  foliage  seems  to  be  rust-proof,  and 
no  disease  has  been  noticed  on  the  plant.  We 
can  only  send  one  plant  to  each  applicant;  10c 
each  by  mail,  postpaid. 

the  henna  plant — Lawsonia  alba. 

We  are  indebted  to  Prof.  Thomas  Meehan,  of 
Philadelphia,  for  the  seed  from  which  we  have 
grown  a  few  plants  of  this  interesting  and  his- 
toric oriental  shrub.  It  is  described  as  a  small, 
handsome  and  sweetly  scented  bush,  first  grown 
on  the  borders  of  Persia,  and  thence  its  use  and 
cultivation  probably  spread  westward  into 
Africa  and  eastward  to  the  several  provinces  of 
India.  The  use  of  the  dye  prepared  from  its 
leaves,  pounded  with  catechu  or  lime,  as  a 
cosmetic  is  evidently  of  Mahommedan  origin, 
being  chiefly  used  by  the  women  of  that  race 
for  staining  the  hands,  fingers,  nails  and  feet. 
The  simple  decoction  of  the  leaves  also  is 
frequently  used  in  dyeing  cloth  and  handker- 
chiefs; color  produced  is  a  shale  of  yellowish 
or  redish-brown  or  red.  The  leaves  are  also 
said  to  have  marked  healing  properties.  We 
anticipate  its  chief  value  in  California  will  be 
as  a  handsome,  fragrant  shrub  with  an  inter- 
esting history.  One  plant  to  each  applicant; 
10c  each  by  mail,  postpaid. 

sugar  cane. 
True  sugar  cane  (Saccharum  officinarum)  is  be- 
ing successfully  grown   on  a   small  scale  on 


moist  or  irrigated  valley  lands  in  this  State. 
There  is  considerable  inquiry  for  the  seed  cane. 
Col.  W.  C.  Stubbs,  of  the  Louisiana  Experiment 
Station,  has  furnished  us  a  supply  of  the  three 
varieties  found  best  in  his  investigations,  viz: 
"  Louisiana  purple."  "  Louisiana  striped  "  and 
41  Tibboo  Merd."  We  shall  endeavor,  so  far  as 
possible,  to  furnish  a  cutting  of  each  to  each 
applicant.  The  cuttings  should  be  laid  hori- 
zontally and  wholly  covered  with  about  three 
inches  of  soil.  In  locations  free  from  frost,  and 
where  the  soil  is  well  drained  and  warm 
enough  to  admit  of  planting  of  tender  vege- 
tables during  the  winter,  the  cuttiDgs  may  be 
planted  as  described  above  as  soon  as  received. 
Where  there  is  danger  of  frost  or  likelihood  of 
cold,  water-soaked  ground  for  some  time,  the 
cuttings  should  be  stored  in  damp  sand  and 
planted  out  when  the  soil  is  in  good  condition 
in  the  spring.  As  cane  is  heuvy  the  charge  will 
be  25c  per  package  by  mail. 

GRASSES  AND  FORAGE   PLANTS. 

Wonderful  Cow  Pea.— In  view  of  the  great  in- 
dustrial value  of  the  cow  pea  in  the  Southern 
States  there  is  a  wide  disposition  to  try  it  in 
California.  We  are  fortunate  in  receiving  from 
D.  M.  Dimmick,  E*q.,  of  Carpinteria,  Santa 
Barbara  county,  a  supply  of  seed  of  the  new 
cow  pea  "  Wonderful,"  which  is  believed  to  be 
the  best  of  its  kind.  It  yielded  a  very  large 
amount  of  forage  and  peas  for  Mr.  Dimmick 
and  keeps  green  on  his  land  until  destroyed  by 
frost.  The  pods  are  very  long  and  carry  as 
many  as  18  peas  to  the  pod.  It  is  not  likely 
that  it  will  do  so  well  away  from  the  coast,  ex- 
cept perhaps  on  moist  or  irrigated  land,  but  it 
is  worth  a  trial  everywhere.  Mr.  Dimmick 
says  the  plant  is  about  as  tender  as  the  Lima 
bean  and  should  be  plan  ted  jj'about  the  same 
time,  as  it  is  liable  to  rot  in  the  ground  if 
planted  too  early.  Put  two  peas  in  a  hill,  the 
hills  18  inches  apart  in  rows  three  feet  wide. 
Seeds  sent  in  small  packets,  3c  each,  by  mail, 
postpaid. 

The  Flat  Pea.—  Further  trial  both  upon  our 
own  grounds  and  by  our  correspondents  leads 
us  to  commend  wider  distribution  of  the 
"Flat  Pea"  (Lathyrus  sylvestris).  This  is  a 
perennial  legume  having  much  the  style  of 
growih  of  the  "  everlasting  pea."  It  forms  a 
dense  mat  of  hauim  or  vine  which  completely 
covers  the  ground,  the  stems  reaching  a  length 
of  four  feet  or  more.  It  keeps  green  all  summer 
without  irrigation  in  this  locality,  and  is  readily 
eaten  by  animals.  After  cutting,  a  second 
growth  starts  at  once.  Analysis  of  the  plant 
made  at  this  station  gives  it  high  nutritive 
value.  As  the  plant  has  not  borne  seed  with 
us  as  yet,  we  distribute  it  by  means  of  root  sets. 
A  part  at  least  of  the  root  sets  of  the  flat  pea 
should  be  carefully  planted  in  the  garden  or 
field  corner  where  they  can  be  watched  and 
protected  the  first  year.  If  the  growth  be  sat- 
isfactory, the  roots  can  be  distributed  here  and 
there  in  waste  places  the  following  year.  We 
will  send  a  small  package  of  roots  postpaid 
for  10c. 

Texas  Blue  Grass  (Poa  arachnif era). —This  grass 
can  now  be  commended  as  especially  valuable 
in  many  parts  of  the  State.  We  furnish  root- 
sets  in  8-oz.  packages  for  8c  each,  by  mail.  By 
planting  a  small  plot,  the  grower  will   soon 


have  roots  to  plant  a  large  area  if  the  grass 
commends  itself. 

Tall  Oatgrass  (Arrhenatherum  avenaceum). — 
This  grass  is  showing  surprising  adaptation  to 
arid  conditions.  Mr.  Thomas  Anderson  of 
Shasta  county  writes  of  it:  "It  grows  like 
bunch  grass  with  a  turf  and  is  always  green 
and  sweet.  Stock  are  very  fond  of  it.  The 
seeds  drop  from  the  head  while  the  base  of  the 
plant  is  still  green.  It  starts  early  and  stays 
green  all  through  the  summer  and  fall."  Other 
growers  in  arid  situations  speak  of  it  in  similar 
terms.  Four-ounce  packages  by  mail  postpaid 
for  5c. 

Tagasaste  (Cytisus  proliferus  albus). — The  pub- 
lication of  reports  of  the  success  of  this  plant  in 
Australia  has  renewed  interest  in  it  here.  It  is 
a  leguminous  shrub  which  grows  in  dry  soil 
and  furnishes  "  browse"  for  stock.  Pour  boil- 
ing water  on  the  seed  and  allow  it  to  soak  over 
night.  Sow  in  boxes,  and  transplant  when  the 
plants  are  a  few  inches  high.  It  is  very  diffi- 
cult to  start  the  seed,  but  the  plant  bears  trans- 
planting well.  Seed  by  mail  postpaid  for  3c  , 
per  packet. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Canaigre. — The  growth  of  this  native  plant 
(Rumex  hymenosepalus)  has  reached  large 
amounts  iu  New  Mexico,  where  an  extract  is 
made  from  the  root  for  shipping  abroad  for 
tanners'  use.  The  business  is  said  to  be  profit- 
able and  can  probably  be  considerably  extended, 
as  the  world's  supply  of  tannin-yielding  bark9 
is  running  low.  Seed  in  2  oz.  packets  for  5c. 
each,  postpaid. 

New  Zealand  Spinach  (Telragonia  expa^sa). — 
Described  by  Von  Mueller  as  a  good  culinary 
herb  and  as  useful  for  restraining  drifting  sands; 
growing  even  during  severest  heat  and  drouth. 
Our  correspondents  speak  of  it  in  the  highest 
terms  as  a  table  vegetable.  Mr.  Robert  Hastie 
of  Contra  Costa  county  writes:  "  It  grows  all 
summer  in  very  dry  land  and  holds  a  beautiful 
dark  green  until  frost  comes,  and  the  growth 
starts  again  the  next  year  from  the  root.  As 
an  ornamental  plant,  where  water  is  scarce  and 
for  the  table,  it  has  no  superior." 

Melde's  Perennial  Bean. — A  handsome,  large, 
white  bean,  with  a  perennial  root,  from  which 
climbing  runners  start  each  year.  Seed  3c.  per 
package,  postpaid. 

Irvine  s  Hybrid  Perennial  Bean. — Originated  on 
the  Station  grounds  and  believed  to  be  a  cross 
between  the  Painted  Lady  and  the  Lima.  It  is 
larger  than  Melde's  bean,  plump,  pure  white.' 
The  vine  shows  a  disposition  to  bear  two  crops, 
as  the  same  plants  which  yielded  the  seed  we 
offer  are  now  loaded  with  a  crop  suitable  for 
cooking.    Seed  3c.  per  package,  postpaid. 

New  Short  White  Carrot. — Introduced  by 
Steele  Bros.  &  Co.,  Toronto,  Canada;  a  large, 
short  carrot,  heavy  at  the  shoulder  and  easily 
pulled  from  the  ground;  flesh  solid,  crisp  and 
sweet;  should  be  tried  by  all  carrot-growers. 
Small  packet  of  seed,  postpaid,  3c. 

Application  for  seeds  and  plants  should  be 
made  as  soon  as  this  announcement  is  received. 
We  expect  to  send  our  seeds  about  January  1, 
and  plants  about  February  1. 


December  15, 1893. 


E.  J.  Wickson, 

Berkeley,  Cal. 


